Bully Ray examines WWE’s place in popular culture

Throughout WWE’s long history, there have been a few key moments when the company transcended professional wrestling and entered mainstream pop culture. From the 1980s wrestling boom led by Hulk Hogan to the legendary Attitude Era of the 1990s, WWE has had its share of mainstream success.

Now, with record attendance, high TV ratings, and massive streaming deals—including a new partnership with Netflix—many believe WWE is more mainstream than ever. The inclusion of celebrities like Logan Paul, Bad Bunny, and Pat McAfee has also expanded its reach to new audiences.

But does this new era truly surpass the Attitude Era in terms of mainstream influence? Bully Ray, a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, isn’t entirely convinced.

Bully Ray Questions WWE’s Mainstream Influence Compared to the Past

During a recent episode of “Busted Open Radio,” WWE legend Bully Ray discussed WWE’s place in pop culture today. While he acknowledged that the company has welcomed many celebrities to bring in fresh audiences, he made an important distinction:

“Back in the Attitude Era, I felt that wrestling was cool and that it spilled out into the mainstream, as opposed to WWE bringing in the mainstream now, to thus perpetuate its coolness.”

In other words, during the Attitude Era, WWE’s popularity naturally extended into mainstream culture, making wrestling a cool phenomenon that everyone wanted to be part of. Today, however, WWE is bringing in mainstream celebrities to help enhance its appeal, rather than being a cultural movement on its own.

How Celebrities Have Helped WWE Grow

Bully Ray did acknowledge that celebrities like Bad Bunny and Logan Paul have successfully introduced WWE to millions of new fans:

• Bad Bunny attracted many non-wrestling fans to WWE, particularly from the Latin music scene.
• Logan Paul, with his millions of social media followers, has brought a younger digital audience to WWE.
• Pat McAfee, a former NFL star, has given WWE credibility among sports fans.

These partnerships have helped WWE reach new demographics and boost engagement, but the question remains: Does this make WWE more mainstream than it was before?

Comparing WWE’s Popularity Now vs. The Attitude Era

Attitude Era (1997-2002)

WWE’s ratings were at an all-time high, with shows like Monday Night Raw regularly drawing over 6-7 million viewers per week.
Wrestlers became household names—The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Undertaker were pop culture icons.
WWE’s influence extended beyond wrestling, with superstars appearing in movies, commercials, and mainstream media.

Today’s WWE (2020s)

Massive streaming deals, including a $5 billion Netflix partnership for Raw.
Record attendance numbers for events like WrestleMania and Royal Rumble.
High-profile celebrity involvement bringing in new fans.
WWE’s social media presence is stronger than ever, with billions of views across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

While today’s WWE has financially surpassed the Attitude Era, it may not hold the same cultural impact it once had. The Attitude Era’s raw energy and rebellious appeal made it must-watch television, while today’s WWE is more business-driven and focused on mainstream collaborations.

There’s no doubt that WWE is more financially successful and widely available than ever before. Global expansion, digital media, and celebrity partnerships have introduced the brand to millions of new viewers.

However, according to Bully Ray, WWE’s mainstream presence today is different from the Attitude Era. Instead of organically becoming a pop culture phenomenon, WWE is now actively integrating celebrities and mainstream figures to maintain relevance.

So, while WWE is at its biggest financial peak, the debate continues: Is it truly more mainstream than the Attitude Era?

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